One Piece: Transmigrated as Crocodile

The next day, at the port, Rosen stood, slightly surprised, gazing at the Dawn. Despite having once boarded the luxurious cruise ship Ocean Oasis, which was over 300 meters long, 60 meters wide, with 18 floors, a capacity of over six thousand people, and over two thousand rooms, the sight before him was different. 

That had been a high-tech marvel of modern engineering, while the Dawn, though only about one-fifth the size, was an ancient sailing ship. Still, the towering three primary masts, each split into four or five sections of canvas, gave it a commanding presence. The sails were arranged to be more flexible and controlled by the wind, and the intricate network of ropes wrapped around the ship, with a bow that rose dramatically, made it resemble a fortress. It had an imposing, intimidating air.

As Rosen examined the Dawn, his mind wandered back to a documentary he'd seen on Spanish galleons, where he marveled at their grandiose power. Seeing such an ancient sea warship for the first time, a part of him was struck with awe, while another part worried: Would this wooden ship be sturdy enough? 

It wasn't that Rosen doubted the ship's potential—it was just that, in his era, most ships were constructed of steel, powered by energy sources rather than wind. Only a few small sailing boats remained for racing or leisurely sailing. 

Rosen had expected something more akin to the Thousand Sunny or Going Merry, yet this ship was far larger. A glance at the pirate flag hanging atop the main mast confirmed its identity. To anyone who saw it, the Dawn screamed "pirate ship."

If the design of the ship was efficient, it seemed more than capable of carrying a crew of over a hundred, even though the Dawn appeared to have only five decks. The highest point was at the stern, with many rooms also located beneath the bow's deck. 

Operating a ship like this would require at least ten people—after all, even with a ship like the Thousand Sunny, the entire crew would have to pitch in when things got busy. Rosen wasn't surprised. 

"Boss!" Mr. 1 and the others had already boarded the ship and were waiting. Rosen, seeing the crew either inspecting or adjusting the sails, felt a surge of excitement. This was his first true experience with a world so different from what he knew—a new, uncharted adventure, even if it was just aboard this ancient Spanish-style galleon. 

As Rosen stepped aboard, the crew stopped their work, greeting him with intense fervor. Their eyes were filled with admiration as they shouted, "Good day, Boss!" 

They had all been carefully selected, chosen by Rosen himself. To be entrusted with a ship of this caliber was a tremendous honor, and with it came the promise of wealth, fame, and the chance to conquer the vast, unpredictable seas.

Rosen toured the new ship under the guidance of the shipwrights. Near the bow, the ship's hold spanned three floors. The top floor was where the crew rested, the next level held munitions and weapons, and the bottom housed the fresh water and bathing area for the male crew. 

In the middle of the ship, there was a spacious dining hall capable of seating dozens, served by two chefs. The three floors above the dining area were dedicated to various functions: the first was the training area and dispute resolution zone, while the second floor housed a meeting hall. 

At the stern, Rosen had his own room, which was five stories high. His lavish quarters had three rooms, red carpets on the floors, and heating pipes near the walls. The room's grand windows gave him a clear view of the sea, while an outdoor balcony allowed him to walk around the entire floor, offering a 360-degree view of the surroundings.

The room also featured a water tank with a few small banana crocodiles—an odd but fitting homage to Crocodile's former habits. "I'm not Crocodile," Rosen muttered to himself, though the thought of having a room with such a grand view was undeniably satisfying.

Below Rosen's quarters was Nico Robin's room, then the floor beneath hers housed the lieutenants. The two lower levels were for storing food, supplies, and treasures. The ship had clear class distinctions based on rank, with varying levels of comfort and amenities for each crew member. 

The Dawn was equipped with eight large cannons, and the total crew count was 23 people, including Rosen. The senior officers were: Nico Robin, Daz Bones, Mr. 5, and Valentine. The other crew members included one doctor, two chefs, a shipwright, and two maids who were primarily tasked with taking care of Crocodile's (Rosen's) needs. The remaining ten were all hand-picked, strong sailors, chosen for their brawn rather than any devil fruit abilities. Some of them even had bounties of several million.

As Rosen looked around the Dawn, everything seemed to be in order. The food and fresh water supplies were enough to last the crew for half a year, with plenty of emergency rations stored away.

"Set sail!" he ordered. The crew quickly gathered on the deck, and Rosen took his position on a platform three levels up, with Robin and the other lieutenants standing behind him. He took a deep drag of his cigar and puffed out a cloud of smoke, his gaze sharp as he gave the signal.

The sailors sprang into action, performing the basic tasks of sailing: adjusting the sails, securing the ropes, and calculating the wind. The ship slowly began to move, picking up speed as it left the harbor. 

On the shore, a mix of onlookers watched, some envious, others disdainful. Even the Marines' informants were not missing the chance to send word back to their headquarters. After all, movements of the Shichibukai were always worth noting.

As the Dawn sailed away, Rosen's new adventure began. The plot? That was a thing of the past. From now on, his path was his own.

(End of Chapter)